Lotus No 2, Grosjean told ’Kimi faster than you’ at last GP

[John S]

Roman was harder to pass than Massa, proof 'Reckless Eric' really lets em race?   

Romain Grosjean was given a familiar instruction by his team during the recent Bahrain grand prix.

The Finnish broadcaster MTV3 reports that the Frenchman was told that his teammate "Kimi (Raikkonen) is faster than you".

"Do not hold him up,"  - the radio message reportedly ended.

In 2010, when team orders were still illegal, Felipe Massa was famously told "Fernando (Alonso) is faster than you" shortly before the Brazilian gave up the lead of the race to Alonso. - Ferrari was fined $100,000.

Today, team orders are allowed, but Lotus denied it instructed Grosjean to let 2007 world champion Raikkonen pass before the Finn finished second in Bahrain.

"We don’t want to play team orders," Lotus team principal Eric Boullier insisted in Bahrain, "so we let them race normally and what happened, happened."

Nextgen-auto.com, Today.

[Canada Darrell™]

So it was reported he was told "do not hold him up" but the team insists their drivers do not race under team orders AND now under the rules team order are allowed! Sheesh! 

They must be saying this to pacify a sponsor or something!

[Jericoke]

It sure is a fine line between team orders, and just making sure your prima donna drivers don't take each other out.

Certainly knowing your teammate is in a better position to pass is helpful, what with the modern tire/fuel rules.

When Massa let Alonso through, it was theoretically possible to salvage his race with all the variables still in play.  With Grojean, the boys at 'Whatever we're called this week' knew exactly what state the cars would end up in.  No point in witholding that information from him.

[lkjohnson1950]

I think there is a significant difference between the two. Massa was leading a Ferrari 1-2 and was told to let Ferd by to protect Ferd's spot in the WDC. I t seemed reasonable that Alonso might not be able to pass on his own. Kimi was catching the leader, Vettel and Grosjean wasn't. It was fairly apparent that Kimi would pass eventually, but if Grosjean attempted to hold him up he would lose any chance at a win. A win would be very important to Lotus so I think telling Grosjean not to hold Kimi up is OK in this case.